Expansion-wheel.



R. R. STEIN. EXPANSION WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1903. 904,025. Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

lvihmaoe-o UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT R. STEIN, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

EXPANSION-WHEEL.

Application filed May 14, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT It. STEIN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of lVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Expansion-lVheels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has particular reference to a wheel for transmitting power or obtaining a retarding effect.

The primary object is to provide an improved expansion pulley or wheel which in operation will be capable of self adjustment or expansion.

Further objects and advantages will be set forth as the description progresses, and the scope of my invention defined in the appended claims.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating a friction drive and brake embodying my improved wheel, the said wheel being shown in partial section. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view in partial section illustrating a modified construction, and Fig. 4: is a sectional view on line l4= of Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of my invention disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, reference numeral 5 designates a suitable center member which I have shown consisting of a hub 6 provided with radiating arms connected with an annular part 7. Spaced outwardly from member 5,

and lying in consecutive order circumferentially thereof are bearing sections or rim portions 8 which are connected with said member by resilient supports, as 9, arranged to yield outwardly relatively to the axis of the member. The sections 8 may be termed centrifugal, weighted sections as they are adapted, by reason of their own weight or weight added thereto, to be acted upon by centrifugal force when the wheel is rotating to bear outwardly and force the supports 9 to yield for expansion of the wheel. For each section 8 I may provide a plurality of weights 10 as indicated in Fig. 2, and suitable means, as screws 11, for removably securing each weight to its relative section,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

Serial No. 432,944.

said screws projecting through suitable apertures in said sections and being engaged in screw threaded openings formed in said weights, as will be readily understood. By removably securing weights 10, their number can be varied, to render the wheel more or less sensitive to the action of centrifugal force. A part 12 preferably encircles the rim thereby forming a convenient continuous surface for the wheel. Part 12 may be of elastic material or of any other suitable material or construction which will permit of the rim sections 8 moving outwardly, as previously described.

In the modified construction, shown in Figs. 3 and at, resilient supports 9' are detachably secured to the rim sections 8, as by screws 14:, and springs 15 whose tension can be regulated are provided to render the wheel more or less sensitive to the action of centrifugal force, said springs being mounted on bolts 16, slidably supported in the resilient supports 9 and each provided with a nut, as 17, which upon adjustment will increase or decrease the tension of the springs.

In Fig. l I have illustrated by way of ap-' plication, my improved wheel as employed in a friction drive mechanism, in which by expansion of said wheel a positive engagement with a wheel 18 to which power is transmitted, is effected. In this construction, a brake 19 is provided for my expansible wheel, said brake consisting of a yieldingly supported shoe arranged to exert a braking action on the wheel when the latter by expansion has its peripheral portion brought into engagement therewith.

While I have herein illustrated my invention as incorporated in a friction drive mechanism, I do not wish to be understood as limiting the same to such application, as it can be used to advantage in many other connections, particularly in driving belts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is:

1. A wheel having a rim formed in sections, and supporting means for said rim sections, said supporting means being resilient, whereby said rim sections will be permitted to move outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force.

2. In a wheel construction, a rim formed in sections, supporting means for said rim Signed at Seattle, WVashington this 6th sections, said supporting means belng res1l1- day of May 1908.

ent to permit of said rim sections moving ROBERT R STEIN outwardly by centrifugal force during rotation of said Wheel, and means for rendering \Vitnesses:

said rim sections more or less sensitive to the ARLITA ADAMS,

action of centrifugal force. FRANK E. ADAMS. 

